Abstract:

An electronic device with an alarm clock function includes a storage unit
storing a plurality of questions, corresponding answers, a preset number
and a count number; a managing unit for performing or disabling an alarm
clock function; a random selection module for generating and outputting a
random question; a comparison module for receiving inputs and determining
whether the input matches the corresponding answer; a recording module
for adding 1 to the count number when the input matches the corresponding
answer; and a number confirming module for comparing the count number
with the preset number, disabling the alarm clock function when the count
number is equal to the preset number, and informing the random selection
module to re-generate a random question when the count number is not
equal to the preset number. A method of disabling alarm clock function is
also provided.

Claims:

1. An electronic device with an alarm clock function, the electronic
device comprising:a storage unit storing a plurality of questions,
corresponding answers, a preset number and a count number;a managing unit
for performing or disabling an alarm clock function;a random selection
module for generating and outputting a random question;a comparison
module for receiving inputs and determining whether the input matches the
corresponding answer;a recording module for adding 1 to the count number
when the input matches the corresponding answer; anda number confirming
module for comparing the count number with the preset number, disabling
the alarm clock function when the count number is equal to the preset
number, and informing the random selection module to re-generate a random
question when the count number is not equal to the preset number.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the managing unit
is further used for informing the time unit to measure a duration of the
alarm clock, and disabling the alarm clock function when the duration is
equal to a preset time.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the random
selection module is further used for outputting a result when the input
matches the corresponding answer.

4. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the comparison
module is further used for informing the random selection module to
generate the random question when the input does not match the
corresponding answer.

5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the comparison
module is further used to receiving inputs and determining whether the
input matches the corresponding answer.

6. A method of disabling an alarm clock function, the method
comprising:supplying a storage unit for storing a plurality of questions,
corresponding answers, a preset number, and a count number;generating and
outputting a random question;receiving inputs and determining whether the
input matches the random question;adding 1 to the count number when the
input matches the corresponding answer;comparing the count number with
the preset number;disabling the alarm clock function when the count
number is equal to the preset number; orre-generating a random question
when the count number is not equal to the preset number.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising measuring a
duration of the alarm clock; and disabling the alarm clock function when
the duration is equal to a preset time.

8. The method according to claim 6, further comprising outputting a result
after confirming the input with the corresponding answer.

9. The method according to claim 6, further comprising generating the
random question when the input does not match the corresponding answer.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising receiving inputs
and determining whether the input matches the corresponding answer.

Description:

BACKGROUND

[0001]1. Technical Field

[0002]The present invention relates to an electronic device with an alarm
clock function that can effectively wake-up a user.

[0003]2. General Background

[0004]Waking up in the morning or simply being on time is a difficult
proposition for many people. It is quite common for people to use alarm
clocks to wake or alert themselves at a pre-determined time. A user can
press a particular or any key to turn off the alarm clock. Unfortunately,
the user may inadvertently turn off the alarm when he or she is groggy
from waking up. This sometimes leads to oversleeping. Moreover, the user
may not realize he or she has turned off the alarm.

[0005]To counteract this problem, some people use what is commonly known
as a snooze function, however people may disable this function as well
without fully awakening. If the alarm clock can be turned off only when
the user is clear-headed, that would be more effective.

[0006]Therefore, an alarm clock function that can wake the user up
effectively is needed.

SUMMARY

[0007]An electronic device with an alarm clock function includes a storage
unit storing a plurality of questions, corresponding answers, a preset
number and a count number; a managing unit for performing or disabling an
alarm clock function; a random selection module for generating and
outputting a random question; a comparison module for receiving inputs
and determining whether the input matches the corresponding answer; a
recording module for adding 1 to the count number when the input matches
the corresponding answer; and a number confirming module for comparing
the count number with the preset number, disabling the alarm clock
function when the count number is equal to the preset number, and
informing the random selection module to re-generate a random question
when the count number is not equal to the preset number.

[0008]Other advantages and novel features will be drawn from the following
detailed description with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]The components of the drawings are not necessarily drawn to
measuring scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly
illustrating the principles of the electronic device with an alarm clock
function that can effectively wake-up a user. Moreover, in the drawings,
like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the
several views.

[0010]FIG. 1 is an exemplary block diagram of a hardware infrastructure of
an electronic device with an alarm clock function in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0011]FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram of main function modules of a
processing unit in the electronic device of FIG. 1.

[0012]FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of disabling the alarm clock
function of the electronic device of FIG. 1 in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

[0013]FIG. 1 is an exemplary block diagram of a hardware infrastructure of
an electronic device with an alarm clock function in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the invention. The electronic device 10 includes
a processing unit 100, a time unit 101, a storage unit 102, a display
unit 103, a sound output unit 104, and an input unit 105.

[0014]The time unit 101 is used for supplying the current time. The
display unit 103 and the sound output unit 104 are used for outputting
video or sound information according to an instruction of the processing
unit 100. The input unit 105 is used for receiving a user's input. The
storage unit 102 is used for storing an alarm time, alarm modes, a
database, a preset number, and a count number. The alarm modes include,
but are not limited to, a ring mode and a vibration mode. The database
includes a plurality of questions and corresponding answers. The count
number represents a count of a user's correct inputs. The alarm time is
set by the user and indicates a time of performing an alarm clock
function. The preset number indicates the number of times that the user
must input a correct answer. When the count number equals the preset
number, the alarm clock function is disabled.

[0015]When the alarm clock function is performed, the processing unit 110
generates a random question, and outputs the random question via the
display unit 103 or the sound output unit 104, e.g. "1+2=?", and so on.
The processing unit 100 receives inputs from the user and determines
whether the input matches the corresponding answer, e.g. "3"
corresponding to "1+2=?". When the input matches the corresponding
answer, the processing unit 100 adds 1 to the count number, and
determines whether the count number is equal to the preset number. If the
count number is equal to the preset number, the processing unit 100
disables the alarm clock function. If the count number is less than the
preset number, the processing unit 100 re-generates a random question.

[0016]FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram of main function modules of the
processing unit 100. The processing unit 100 includes a setting module
1001, a managing unit 1002, a random selection module 1003, a comparison
module 1004, a recording module 1005, and a number confirming module
1006. The functions of the modules in the processing unit 100 are
described below together with FIG. 3.

[0017]FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of disabling the alarm clock
function of the electronic device in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment.

[0018]In step S301, the setting module 1001 sets the alarm time, the alarm
mode, and the preset number, via the input unit 105, and stores these
settings in the storage unit 102. However, the alarm mode and the preset
number can also be pre-stored in the storage unit 102.

[0019]In step S302, the managing unit 1002 periodically obtains the
current time from the time unit 101, and determines whether current time
matches the alarm time. If the current time does not match the alarm
time, the managing unit 1002 repeats step S302.

[0020]When the current time is the alarm time, in step S303, the managing
unit 1002 obtains the alarm mode from the storage unit 102, performs the
alarm clock function, informs the time unit 101 to measure a duration the
alarm clock function is performed, and generates a random selecting
signal to the random selection module 1003.

[0023]In step S306, the comparison module 1004 detects whether inputs from
the user is received from the input unit 105.

[0024]In step S307, if input is received from the input unit 105, the
comparison module 1004 determines whether the inputs matches the
corresponding answer.

[0025]If no input is received from the input unit 105, in step S308, the
comparison module 1004 determines whether the duration of the alarm clock
function reaches a preset time period. If the duration of the alarm clock
function is less than the preset time period, the procedure returns to
step 306. If the duration of the alarm clock is equal to the preset time
period, the procedure goes to step S313 described below.

[0026]If the input matches the corresponding answer, in step S309, the
comparison module 1004 outputs a first result, such as "right input", via
the display unit 103 or sound output unit 104, and sends a determining
signal to the recording module 1005, and the procedure goes to step S311.

[0027]If the input does not match the corresponding answer, in step S310,
the comparison module 1004 outputs a second result, such as "wrong
input", via the display unit 103 or sound output unit 104, and the
procedure returns to step S304.

[0028]In step S311, the recording module 1005 adds 1 to the count number
according to the determining signal.

[0029]In step S312, the number confirming module 1006 determines whether
the count number is equal to the preset number. If the count number is
not equal to the preset number, the procedure returns to step S304.

[0030]If the count number is equal to the preset number, in step S313, the
managing unit 1002 disables the alarm clock function, and resets the
count number.

[0031]In addition, in another embodiment of the invention, in step S310,
if the input does not match the corresponding answer, the comparison
module 1004 outputs the second result via the display unit 103 or sound
output unit 104, and the procedure returns to step S306, but not to step
S304.

[0032]Although the present invention has been specifically described on
the basis of an exemplary embodiment thereof, the invention is not to be
construed as being limited thereto. Various changes or modifications may
be made to the embodiment without departing from the scope and spirit of
the invention.